The Beatles release back catalogue for streaming for the first time

The Beatles (l-r): Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, pictured in 1963. Credit: PA

Video report by ITV News Correspondent Nina Nannar.

The Beatles' entire back catalogue will be made available on a range of music streaming services for the first time, it has been announced.

The Liverpudlian band's tracks are to go live at exactly one minute past midnight on Christmas Eve morning in every time zone - just in time for Christmas Day on Friday.

From then, the music can be streamed via Spotify, Apple Music, Slacker, Tidal, Groove, Rhapsody, Deezer, Google Play and Amazon Prime.

People will also be able to keep track of where in the world the music is available through the official Beatles website.

The Beatles split in April 1970, but despite the persistent popularity of their music, it has never before been released for streaming - with record label bosses instead opting to put out a number of back catalogue compilations.